This story about “Los Traidores” first appeared in the Limited Series/Movies issue of TheWrap awards magazine.
As a competition series that mixes physical challenges, psychological warfare and reality TV star power, “The Traitors” gave Peacock one of his first cold-water shows.
Based on a Dutch format and produced by Studio Lambert (“The Circle”), the show is set in a castle in Scotland and featured 20 players in its first season, made up of reality TV personalities like “Big Brother 22: All Stars”. winner Cody Calafiore and “Below Deck” star Kate Chastain”, along with regular people. The players, known as “Faithfuls,” work together to grow the collective prize pool of up to $250,000.
But among them are three undercover “Traitors” selected by host Alan Cumming who decide to “murder” a Faithful each night: after those Faithful have kicked a player in hopes of eliminating the Traitors. It’s Mafia meets “Big Brother,” with a dash of the messy drama that comes with Bravo TV personalities.
“It’s a mind game at its heart even before it’s a TV show,” said “Traitors” executive producer Toni Ireland. “And you can play along: are you a Faithful? You are a traitor? You can step back to either side and enjoy watching the show unfold. We all love a murder mystery, we all love a whodunit.” “The Traitors,” Ireland added, “is ‘Knives Out,’ it’s ‘Clue.’ It’s a bit of everything.”
In each episode, Cumming assigns challenges to the players to win money for the prize pool. Missions range from a capture the flag-style scavenger hunt, where contestants have to race against the clock while one of their teammates is buried alive, to a vicious final challenge that began with players having to jump from a helicopter. The Traitors and the Faithful compete for the same prize, but with a catch: if any Traitor makes it to the end, they steal the loot.
“The good thing is that you know who the traitors are. As a viewer, you are watching them try to play this game. How do they lie? How do they cover up what they are doing? Who do they throw under the bus? said executive producer Mike Cotton. “You can see all of that play out, which is a fascinating insight into human psychology.”
Part of what makes “The Traitors” work so well is Cumming, who seems to be having the time of his life. Delivering his lines with a dramatic twist in his natural Scottish style (“Near. The. Coffins.), fully embraces his role as a tartan-clad manor laird who doubles as ringmaster.
“I was in the castle watching things all the time, watching the game unfold,” Cotton said. “He was really into the game. He dove right in and became this character from being in the game.”
The casting of fan favorites from “Big Brother” and “Survivor” also helped draw in viewers. The show premiered with its full 10-episode season on January 12 and quickly gained traction among reality TV fans. While Peacock doesn’t share viewership data for his shows, the series’ positive critical reception and social media conversations indicated that he was striking a chord. Chastain’s stint as Faithful on the show set social media ablaze, as her indifference to her fellow gamers and her lack of effort when competing in her challenges made her the perfect scapegoat for the Traitors. .
“The Traitors” gained such popularity that, along with the season 2 renewal, Peacock greenlit a reunion special for season 1 hosted by Andy Cohen (crown jewel producer and Bravo reunion host). ) to give viewers a resolution after its heartbreaking ending. (Spoiler alert: “Survivor” alum Cirie Fields took home the prize money after conning her loyal friends and ending up as the only undiscovered traitor.)
With a huge victory of their own under their belt, the “Traitors” creative team has their sights set on delivering an even bigger and more twisted second season, which is already in production.
“Next time, the cast will come in having seen season 1 and potentially maybe seen some international versions. [of the show] too, and they’ll think they’re going to know how to play this game,” Ireland said. “Well, you have no idea how hard it is… It’s a hard game to play. And I guess it’s our job to come up with more twists and turns so no one really knows what’s coming.”
The first season of “The Traitors” is now airing on Peacock.
Read more of the limited series/film edition here.
